Best wheel cleaner that can be diluted

I was wondering whats everyones favorite wheel cleaner that comes in a gallon size and can be diluted. It also needs to be safe since I have aftermarket wheels.

 

Try some CG Diablo wheel gel. Its dilutable and works well. Its also safe on most all wheels.

If you want something more economical with good cleaning ability, buy some some CG wash like CWC or CWG or even their wash and wax. Mix it w/ 24OZ of water and it will produce a great, safe, solution that works awesome on wheels.

I've also heard of other memebers diluting AG CWC. That may also be an option for you.

 

how powerfull of a wheel cleaner do you need? Is it for personal use, or will you be doing customer cars?

 

lately ive been a fan of gloss it wheel gel and AG custom wheel cleaner.

been using the gloss it at 3:1, and it works pretty damn good still.

the AG CWC bottle does say you can dilute it 1:1 for frequent cleaning.

 

Emile has tested Sticky Gel and Diablo and said that Sticky Gel is stronger.

 

For personal use the reason I wanted dilutable is for soft dose for my aftermarket wheels and to be able to make a stronger dose for my parents wheels which rarely get cleaned

 

CG Sticky Gel is an excellent cleaner at 3:1. pH of 11.4 should be safe on all wheels. Other manufacturers' wheel cleaners, such as Optimum Power Clean and Wolfgang Gel Wheel Cleaner have a pH of 11.4, and they assure that their cleaners are safe on all wheels.

I also like the Gloss It Wheel Gel at 1:1, but I am not convinced with its cleaning power at 3:1 or weaker.

Diablo is ultra safe but just doesn't have any muscle. It's really only handy if you don't want to break out the bucket of soap and water for cleaning wheels.

Custom Wheel Cleaner is good at 1:1 but I wouldn't dilute it any more than that.

 

Gloss It wheel gel would be my choice in this case. Dillute it 3:1 (water to product). But I wouldn't use it on uncoated alluminum wheels...

 

Brown Royal from Flash - comes in a gallon for about $15 and can be diluted 3:1 for normal wheel cleaning. Use 1:1 for engine degreasing and other harsher cleaning requirements.

 

what kind of car is it for anyway? (trying to determine brake dust level)...

 

its a civic 8th gen and the wheels are enkei ekm3 in silver. It does accumulate a good bit of brake dust because I do drive through a few hills on a daily basis that need me to brake hard.

 

depending on how often you wash it, you might get away with Chemical Guys diablo wheel gel (3:1)...or if you need a stronger solution, use Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner undilluted.

 

I have and use the following ....AG CWC - I have used it on everything including a set of newly polished Alcoa Aluminum wheels without incident. AG doesnt recommend using it on 2 or 3 pc wheels because its high alkaline content could damage the wheels IF IT ISN'T RINSED THOROUGHLY. I'm assuming this is true only if the barrels are raw and not coated or painted aluminum. I just use it straight but on maintained wheels, 1:1 is fine. Gloss it Wheel Gel. Diluted 3:1 its as strong as straight P21S. Works very well and is safe on all wheels. CG Sticky wheel gel. Another great product. I'd put it up there with my AG and GI cleaners. Just works well. I have the Diablo and on maintained wheels it does work very well. Sticks like crazy. Blackfire Wheel Gel. On maintained wheels, it does a very good job as well. Sonax did a very good job as well when I tested it. By far the best trigger I've ever used! One thing to keep in mind is that on well maintained wheels, any wheel cleaner will work. Non acid based wheel cleaners will only do so much so you have to be realistic in your expectations. If one or two hits of any of these products doesn't work, it doesn't mean the products don't work, it simply means you'll need to switch to an acid based product. Thats the reality of it and if you are detailing for money, you don't have time to sit and wait for 2 hours to see if your wheel cleaner worked or not. I've tried pretty much every wheel cleaner available and they are all quite similar in their capabilities. Although some will remove a wee bit more than others, there is no Holy Grail of wheels cleaners.

 

Interesting post, Ken.

I always rinse wheels out very thoroughly with water after using a wheel cleaner so that there is no evidence of cleaner left (I make sure there is no more sudsing coming from the water after rinsing it all out). This is especially important because we all like to clean the barrels, behind the spokes, the calipers, etc. whereas the average person just cleans the rims/wheel face so we get more cleaner in more places.

After all four wheels are cleaned, I also additionally foam up the wheels with a pH neutral shampoo to neutralize any remaining cleaners. I am always 100% positive that my rinse is very thorough, but it doesn't take much time to go the extra mile. :mounty:

 

My vote goes to AG CWC, does your tires and your wheels like no other wheel cleaner I've ever used!

 

I decided to go try chemical guys since i am so close to there warehouse and try getting a 16 ounce of diablo and sticky wheel cleaner to try. Also when you said mix some citrus wash in a bottle and use that do I use the dilution ratios like im making car wash soap

 

1oz of Citrus Wash & Clear and the rest water will make for a fairly powerful and safe wheel cleaner.